Computer Systems Analysts Job Overview
The job of computer systems analysts evolves fast as they incorporate the changes in technology and growing areas of specialization in the organization.
Computer Systems Analysts Schools and Degrees
Given the technical nature of jobs , employers generally look for candidates with a bachelor’s degree in fields like computer science, applied mathematics, engineering, information science and physical sciences. Applicants with a degree in management information systems and with a master’s degree in business administration with a specialization in information systems are also given preference by employers.
Job Requirements
Computer systems analysts need to have strong logical thinking abilities. They need to handle many different tasks at the same time and the ability to multitask is important. They also need to have an eye for detail. They usually work independently, but at times computer systems analysts may also need to work in teams, so it is important that they have good interpersonal and communication skills.
Expertise in the relevant area of work is an important requirement for the job. For instance, computer systems analysts who want to work for a hospital need to be proficient in health management. Likewise, those wishing to work in a bank need to have sufficient knowledge regarding finance.
Changes in technology happen very quickly and it is important for those related to this field to keep abreast with advances. Universities, colleges, employers, hardware and software vendors and private institutes offer opportunities for continuing education to help computer systems analysts update their skills.
Nature of Work
Computer systems analysts choose and configure hardware and software to develop and design new computer systems. They also find out ways and means to apply to additional jobs in the existing computer systems. Most computer systems analysts usually concentrate on working with particular types of computer systems like engineering or scientific systems, business and accounting. Some computer systems analysts help the organizations in developing computer systems while others help to choose the right system software.
Computer systems analysts usually work in offices. They have to work for about 40 hours in a week. If work demands, they may also work in the evenings and during weekends. Depending on their work, they may also need to telecommute and work with computers from far off locations. As with most people in other professions working with computers for long hours, computer systems analysts also suffer from eye problems, back pain and hand and wrist pain.
Computer scientists Jobs and Outlook
According to research in 2006, the number of computer systems analysts required by the year 2016 is 650,000. In 2006, 504,000 people were employed in this field.
The average annual salary of a computer systems analyst is about $69,000.
Job Numbers and Growth The official count of computer systems analysts in 2008 was 504,000. Workers have recently faced a low level of unemployment. The unemployment rate for employees? About 3% recently. Area Job Conditions You'll see a lot of computer systems analysts in Bloomington (Illinois), Huntsville (Alabama), and Durham (North Carolina), and comparatively fewer in New Bedford (Massachusetts), Houma (Louisiana), and Visalia (California). Wages for Workers are highest in Manchester (New Hampshire), Bridgeport (Connecticut), and Lowell (Massachusetts), and lowest in Johnson City (Tennessee), Monroe (Louisiana), and Merced (California). Training and Education Employees normally have a bachelor's degree before landing a job. Degrees are held by 68% of current computer systems analysts. Post-secondary schooling was enough for 25% of workers. Education topped out at high school for 7% of employees. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career. Part-Time Work and Self-Employment Part-time work suffices for 6% of computer systems analysts. Workers working on their own make up 6% of the total.
Computer Systems Analysts by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings) In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation. Alabama | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Auburn | $65,000 | 70 | -57% | | Birmingham | $67,000 | 2,070 | -4% | | Decatur | $60,000 | 30 | -85% | | Huntsville | $75,000 | 2,860 | +242% | | Mobile | $68,000 | 310 | -58% | | Montgomery | $65,000 | 910 | +34% | | Tuscaloosa | $66,000 | 110 | -68% |
Alaska | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Anchorage | $71,000 | 250 | -61% | | Fairbanks | $70,000 | 40 | -65% |
Arizona | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Flagstaff | $74,000 | 120 | -40% | | Phoenix | $89,000 | 6,310 | -19% | | Tucson | $82,000 | 1,330 | -12% |
Arkansas | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Fayetteville | $61,000 | 390 | -51% | | Fort Smith | $43,000 | 110 | -76% | | Little Rock | $62,000 | 1,490 | +7% |
California | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Bakersfield | $77,000 | 340 | -69% | | Chico | $80,000 | 90 | -65% | | Fresno | $67,000 | 370 | -73% | | Madera | $59,000 | 40 | -69% | | Merced | $46,000 | 30 | -86% | | Modesto | $61,000 | 120 | -82% | | Napa | $73,000 | 90 | -62% | | Oakland | $86,000 | 3,830 | -11% | | Oxnard | $90,000 | 730 | -40% | | Redding | $58,000 | 80 | -68% | | Riverside | $72,000 | 1,550 | -71% | | Sacramento | $74,000 | 6,910 | +87% | | Salinas | $89,000 | 320 | -48% | | San Diego | $76,000 | 3,930 | -30% | | San Francisco | $93,000 | 7,100 | +70% | | San Jose | $89,000 | 8,960 | +133% | | San Luis Obispo | $68,000 | 130 | -66% | | Santa Ana | $77,000 | 4,270 | -33% | | Santa Barbara | $72,000 | 380 | -43% | | Santa Cruz | $77,000 | 160 | -52% | | Santa Rosa | $81,000 | 400 | -46% | | Stockton | $68,000 | 320 | -63% | | Vallejo | $82,000 | 170 | -64% | | Visalia | $64,000 | 40 | -92% | | Yuba City | $60,000 | 50 | -64% |
Colorado | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Boulder | $89,000 | 1,880 | +194% | | Colorado Springs | $75,000 | 1,490 | +46% | | Denver | $83,000 | 6,160 | +18% | | Fort Collins | $76,000 | 180 | -62% | | Grand Junction | $64,000 | 40 | -81% | | Greeley | $80,000 | 60 | -79% |
Connecticut | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Bridgeport | $95,000 | 1,940 | +8% | | Danbury | $79,000 | 140 | -47% | | Hartford | $84,000 | 5,130 | +113% | | New Haven | $70,000 | 760 | -33% | | Norwich | $87,000 | 600 | +23% | | Waterbury | $72,000 | 70 | -73% |
Delaware | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Dover | $71,000 | 220 | +10% | | Wilmington | $84,000 | 2,700 | +100% |
District of Columbia | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Washington | $94,000 | 28,030 | +189% |
Florida | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Cape Coral | $80,000 | 300 | -64% | | Deltona | $53,000 | 260 | -58% | | Fort Lauderdale | $63,000 | 2,360 | -23% | | Fort Walton Beach | $65,000 | 280 | -2% | | Gainesville | $61,000 | 160 | -64% | | Jacksonville | $69,000 | 2,180 | -13% | | Lakeland | $63,000 | 260 | -67% | | Miami | $68,000 | 2,290 | -45% | | Naples | $68,000 | 100 | -79% | | Ocala | $49,000 | 80 | -78% | | Orlando | $73,000 | 3,570 | -18% | | Palm Bay | $70,000 | 670 | -15% | | Panama City | | 290 | +13% | | Pensacola | $53,000 | 310 | -48% | | Port St Lucie | $59,000 | 120 | -76% | | Sarasota | $63,000 | 420 | -61% | | Tallahassee | $59,000 | 990 | +53% | | Tampa | $73,000 | 4,620 | -9% | | West Palm Beach | $76,000 | 1,620 | -27% |
Georgia | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Albany | $61,000 | 70 | -69% | | Athens | $65,000 | 180 | -36% | | Atlanta | $84,000 | 18,020 | +81% | | Augusta | $62,000 | 370 | -55% | | Columbus | $71,000 | 440 | +4% | | Dalton | $64,000 | 590 | +103% | | Gainesville | $71,000 | 60 | -77% | | Macon | $50,000 | 180 | -53% | | Rome | $48,000 | 90 | -29% | | Savannah | $60,000 | 340 | -43% | | Valdosta | $58,000 | 30 | -85% |
Hawaii | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Honolulu | $66,000 | 980 | -46% |
Idaho | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Boise | $72,000 | 530 | -52% | | Coeur Dalene | $60,000 | 50 | -75% | | Idaho Falls | $55,000 | 80 | -53% | | Pocatello | $81,000 | 40 | -61% |
Illinois | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Bloomington | $93,000 | 950 | +260% | | Champaign | $69,000 | 70 | -81% | | Chicago | $81,000 | 12,330 | -23% | | Decatur | $72,000 | 50 | -70% | | Kankakee | $70,000 | 30 | -77% | | Peoria | $73,000 | 250 | -63% | | Rockford | $69,000 | 80 | -87% | | Springfield | $79,000 | 990 | +149% |
Indiana | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Columbus | $73,000 | 210 | +39% | | Elkhart | $78,000 | 120 | -76% | | Evansville | $68,000 | 270 | -61% | | Fort Wayne | $65,000 | 510 | -40% | | Gary | $67,000 | 270 | -76% | | Indianapolis | $72,000 | 3,370 | -10% | | Lafayette | $62,000 | 130 | -54% | | Muncie | $63,000 | 70 | -57% | | South Bend | $65,000 | 380 | -29% | | Terre Haute | $57,000 | 50 | -81% |
Iowa | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Ames | $63,000 | 250 | +87% | | Cedar Rapids | $65,000 | 490 | -7% | | Davenport | $77,000 | 620 | -16% | | Des Moines | $72,000 | 3,320 | +148% | | Dubuque | $51,000 | 60 | -68% | | Iowa City | $58,000 | 140 | -48% | | Sioux City | $74,000 | 110 | -59% | | Waterloo | $58,000 | 100 | -69% |
Kansas | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Topeka | $66,000 | 330 | -23% | | Wichita | $62,000 | 700 | -44% |
Kentucky | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Elizabethtown | $66,000 | 80 | -48% | | Lexington | $73,000 | 980 | 0% | | Louisville | $66,000 | 1,660 | -35% |
Louisiana | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Alexandria | $51,000 | 50 | -77% | | Baton Rouge | $52,000 | 1,840 | +22% | | Houma | $54,000 | 40 | -89% | | Lafayette | $58,000 | 140 | -76% | | Lake Charles | $55,000 | 80 | -76% | | Monroe | $43,000 | 140 | -53% | | New Orleans | $61,000 | 740 | -65% | | Shreveport | $65,000 | 130 | -81% |
Maine | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Bangor | $60,000 | 90 | -62% | | Lewiston | $57,000 | 80 | -55% | | Portland | $76,000 | 870 | +7% |
Maryland | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Baltimore | $87,000 | 4,880 | -10% | | Bethesda | $90,000 | 5,570 | +135% | | Hagerstown | $61,000 | 150 | -61% | | Salisbury | $65,000 | 60 | -69% |
Massachusetts | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Barnstable Town | $68,000 | 70 | -82% | | Boston | $90,000 | 12,270 | +70% | | Brockton | $70,000 | 80 | -76% | | Framingham | $85,000 | 990 | +53% | | Haverhill | $82,000 | 190 | -35% | | Lawrence | $79,000 | 120 | -43% | | Leominster | $92,000 | 50 | -72% | | Lowell | $93,000 | 970 | +105% | | New Bedford | $80,000 | 30 | -88% | | Pittsfield | $83,000 | 40 | -65% | | Springfield | $75,000 | 510 | -58% | | Taunton | $79,000 | 40 | -76% | | Worcester | $76,000 | 860 | -15% |
Michigan | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Ann Arbor | $72,000 | 720 | +9% | | Bay City | $74,000 | 70 | -42% | | Detroit | $88,000 | 5,020 | +70% | | Grand Rapids | $65,000 | 700 | -55% | | Holland | $68,000 | 170 | -57% | | Jackson | $71,000 | 120 | -37% | | Kalamazoo | $64,000 | 440 | -18% | | Lansing | $69,000 | 550 | -29% | | Niles | $68,000 | 70 | -70% | | Saginaw | $66,000 | 200 | -30% | | Warren | $78,000 | 5,950 | +23% |
Minnesota | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Duluth | $62,000 | 170 | -66% | | Minneapolis | $75,000 | 9,640 | +29% | | Rochester | $81,000 | 420 | +18% | | St Cloud | $68,000 | 130 | -67% |
Mississippi | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Gulfport | $57,000 | 170 | -60% | | Jackson | $60,000 | 580 | -44% | | Pascagoula | $61,000 | 60 | -65% |
Missouri | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Columbia | $64,000 | 170 | -45% | | Jefferson City | $66,000 | 230 | -10% | | Joplin | $53,000 | 70 | -77% | | Kansas City | $70,000 | 6,330 | +47% | | Springfield | $65,000 | 180 | -77% | | St Louis | $75,000 | 6,190 | +9% |
Montana | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Billings | $64,000 | 90 | -71% | | Missoula | $66,000 | 50 | -73% |
Nebraska | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Lincoln | $61,000 | 410 | -37% | | Omaha | $69,000 | 2,300 | +20% |
Nevada | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Las Vegas | $72,000 | 1,350 | -65% | | Reno | $68,000 | 480 | -43% |
New Hampshire | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Manchester | $97,000 | 530 | +31% | | Nashua | $85,000 | 590 | +8% | | Rochester | $67,000 | 320 | +54% |
New Jersey | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Atlantic City | $77,000 | 230 | -61% | | Camden | $78,000 | 1,970 | -10% | | Edison | $92,000 | 7,900 | +83% | | Newark | $96,000 | 4,710 | +12% | | Trenton | $83,000 | 1,740 | +101% | | Vineland | $80,000 | 30 | -86% |
New Mexico | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Albuquerque | $78,000 | 780 | -51% | | Santa Fe | $51,000 | 190 | -19% |
New York | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Albany | $70,000 | 1,480 | -18% | | Binghamton | | 220 | -47% | | Buffalo | $72,000 | 1,310 | -41% | | Glens Falls | | 100 | -48% | | Ithaca | $69,000 | 100 | -34% | | Kingston | $64,000 | 40 | -82% | | Nassau | $84,000 | 2,360 | -55% | | New York | $92,000 | 25,590 | +19% | | Poughkeepsie | $89,000 | 1,180 | +22% | | Rochester | $69,000 | 2,220 | +7% | | Syracuse | $69,000 | 580 | -54% | | Utica | $71,000 | 340 | -32% |
North Carolina | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Asheville | $63,000 | 190 | -73% | | Burlington | $71,000 | 170 | -22% | | Charlotte | $77,000 | 4,870 | +32% | | Durham | $82,000 | 3,750 | +237% | | Fayetteville | $59,000 | 140 | -71% | | Greensboro | $82,000 | 1,220 | -20% | | Greenville | $62,000 | 140 | -48% | | Hickory | $58,000 | 120 | -81% | | Raleigh | $74,000 | 2,730 | +29% | | Rocky Mount | $59,000 | 90 | -58% | | Wilmington | $67,000 | 120 | -79% | | Winston Salem | $75,000 | 920 | +6% |
North Dakota | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Bismarck | $60,000 | 100 | -51% | | Fargo | $58,000 | 710 | +57% |
Ohio | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Akron | $65,000 | 830 | -40% | | Canton | $59,000 | 360 | -48% | | Cincinnati | $77,000 | 3,870 | -11% | | Cleveland | $72,000 | 2,580 | -42% | | Columbus | $80,000 | 4,770 | +22% | | Dayton | $75,000 | 1,390 | -14% | | Lima | $63,000 | 40 | -79% | | Mansfield | $64,000 | 50 | -74% | | Springfield | $67,000 | 90 | -47% | | Toledo | $65,000 | 450 | -65% | | Youngstown | $69,000 | 390 | -59% |
Oklahoma | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Lawton | $54,000 | 40 | -69% | | Oklahoma City | $60,000 | 1,490 | -36% | | Tulsa | $71,000 | 1,540 | -15% |
Oregon | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Bend | $69,000 | 60 | -77% | | Corvallis | $68,000 | 50 | -53% | | Eugene | $64,000 | 550 | -7% | | Medford | $61,000 | 60 | -81% | | Portland | $77,000 | 3,360 | -22% | | Salem | $70,000 | 160 | -73% |
Pennsylvania | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Allentown | $62,000 | 1,000 | -28% | | Altoona | $82,000 | 170 | -23% | | Erie | $61,000 | 210 | -57% | | Harrisburg | $72,000 | 2,650 | +105% | | Johnstown | $55,000 | 80 | -61% | | Lancaster | $63,000 | 390 | -59% | | Philadelphia | $88,000 | 9,450 | +20% | | Pittsburgh | $69,000 | 4,680 | -2% | | Reading | $67,000 | 320 | -51% | | Scranton | $69,000 | 710 | -32% | | Williamsport | $58,000 | 70 | -62% | | York | $67,000 | 260 | -64% |
Rhode Island | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Providence | $87,000 | 1,570 | -33% |
South Carolina | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Charleston | $62,000 | 810 | -32% | | Columbia | $62,000 | 1,520 | +5% | | Florence | $55,000 | 150 | -53% | | Greenville | $71,000 | 1,560 | +25% | | Myrtle Beach | $63,000 | 80 | -83% | | Spartanburg | $77,000 | 300 | -38% |
South Dakota | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Rapid City | $62,000 | 30 | -87% | | Sioux Falls | $64,000 | 340 | -37% |
Tennessee | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Chattanooga | $67,000 | 520 | -45% | | Clarksville | $55,000 | 300 | +6% | | Cleveland | $47,000 | 50 | -60% | | Johnson City | $47,000 | 80 | -71% | | Kingsport | $48,000 | 220 | -51% | | Knoxville | $65,000 | 890 | -35% | | Memphis | $67,000 | 1,230 | -52% | | Nashville | $61,000 | 1,990 | -37% |
Texas | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Abilene | $48,000 | 50 | -78% | | Amarillo | $62,000 | 160 | -58% | | Austin | $74,000 | 6,880 | +117% | | Beaumont | $68,000 | 290 | -54% | | Brownsville | $48,000 | 100 | -79% | | College Station | $65,000 | 270 | -7% | | Corpus Christi | $67,000 | 200 | -72% | | Dallas | $81,000 | 14,900 | +69% | | El Paso | $63,000 | 680 | -37% | | Fort Worth | $75,000 | 3,010 | -16% | | Houston | $78,000 | 11,260 | +4% | | Killeen | $68,000 | 450 | -3% | | Laredo | $58,000 | 50 | -84% | | Longview | $59,000 | 90 | -75% | | Lubbock | $51,000 | 270 | -43% | | Mcallen | $48,000 | 130 | -85% | | Midland | $60,000 | 60 | -76% | | Odessa | $66,000 | 70 | -66% | | San Angelo | $59,000 | 80 | -44% | | San Antonio | $66,000 | 3,040 | -13% | | Texarkana | $51,000 | 30 | -85% | | Tyler | $63,000 | 110 | -68% | | Waco | $48,000 | 200 | -46% | | Wichita Falls | $54,000 | 60 | -72% |
Utah | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Logan | $55,000 | 80 | -51% | | Ogden | $64,000 | 320 | -60% | | Provo | $69,000 | 320 | -51% | | Salt Lake City | $67,000 | 1,710 | -34% |
Vermont | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Burlington | $78,000 | 280 | -34% |
Virginia | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Blacksburg | $71,000 | 210 | -7% | | Charlottesville | $65,000 | 750 | +110% | | Harrisonburg | $78,000 | 100 | -49% | | Lynchburg | $57,000 | 210 | -46% | | Richmond | $79,000 | 4,470 | +80% | | Roanoke | $64,000 | 400 | -36% | | Virginia Beach | $69,000 | 3,280 | +4% | | Winchester | $72,000 | 70 | -63% |
Washington | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Bellingham | $61,000 | 110 | -63% | | Bremerton | $81,000 | 220 | -30% | | Kennewick | $77,000 | 360 | +6% | | Longview | $67,000 | 40 | -65% | | Mount Vernon | $65,000 | 40 | -75% | | Olympia | $78,000 | 190 | -47% | | Seattle | $85,000 | 9,190 | +53% | | Spokane | $71,000 | 550 | -35% | | Tacoma | $70,000 | 620 | -43% | | Wenatchee | $79,000 | 50 | -64% | | Yakima | $76,000 | 70 | -77% |
West Virginia | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Charleston | $66,000 | 190 | -67% | | Huntington | $60,000 | 90 | -80% | | Parkersburg | $73,000 | 40 | -85% | | Weirton | $76,000 | 80 | -46% | | Wheeling | $60,000 | 100 | -57% |
Wisconsin | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Appleton | $63,000 | 310 | -30% | | Eau Claire | $72,000 | 140 | -51% | | Green Bay | $62,000 | 550 | -17% | | Janesville | $63,000 | 60 | -75% | | La Crosse | $61,000 | 140 | -45% | | Madison | $64,000 | 2,030 | +49% | | Milwaukee | $69,000 | 4,200 | +19% | | Oshkosh | $69,000 | 320 | +0% | | Racine | $70,000 | 120 | -59% | | Sheboygan | $64,000 | 220 | +6% | | Wausau | $64,000 | 280 | +12% |
Wyoming | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Casper | $57,000 | 60 | -55% | | Cheyenne | $49,000 | 160 | +4% |
Salary and employment data obtained from the United States Department of Labor. Individual salaries depend on location, education and career background. Thanks to CityTownInfo.com for this computer systems analyst schools and jobs info.
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